Transparent Method Research Articles

Securing industry 5.0 using 6σ CYBERNETIC framework

The data-driven digital economy highly relies on immersive and emerging technologies, mass customisation, autonomous systems, and seamless connectivity. Enabling such an Industrial IoT/Industry 5.0 environment requires streamlined and end-to-end transparent methods for insights, visibility, and control. However, it is important to note that its success depends on data security metrics. The recent cyber-attacks in healthcare and industrial infrastructures have led service providers to high-risk scenarios. From supply chain to service delivery, remote functionality variables, enabling a fully connected factory is a major cybersecurity concern as emerging technologies employ different security requirements. To mitigate these risks, strategic, operational, technical, and cybersecurity alignment is a must, where the gaps between the production and process environments must be bridged to achieve the prime goal of a sustainable, secure, and technologically innovative factory. This research provides a systematic approach to bridging Industry 5.0’s QoS metrics and security gaps by implementing a Six Sigma (6σ) approach in a manufacturing environment. The approach further maps IT/OT, cloud, and cybersecurity standards, thereby enabling insights, visibility, and control. A healthcare 5.0 use-case is demonstrated to show how a 6σ implementation can improve the QoS metrics, unifying standards to achieve a secure, sustainable, resilient, and high-performance environment.

A Study on Factors Influencing After-Sales Service of Reliance Fresh

To communicate, save, and manage information, teachers use a variety of ICT tools. ICT has become an integral part of teaching-learning, they are replacing chalkboards with interactive digital whiteboards and using smartphones or other devices for learning during class time. These approaches are leading towards higher order thinking skills, and creativity to express their understandings, and deal with ongoing technological change in society and the workplace. Integration of Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) is assisting teachers with the global requirement for replacing traditional teaching methods with technology-based teaching and learning tools and facilities. ICT reduces the gap between parents, educators, and students by encouraging sustainable cooperative, and transparent communication methods. The integration of ICTs with the educational system is a complex, lengthy process that involves enough initial capital and other resources. The benefits of increased use of technology in education are specialized learning, project-based learning, increased collaboration, engaging content, and improved productivity and efficiency. ICT is playing salient roles in workplaces, business, education, and entertainment. The digital era of ICT gives the opportunities to learn and apply the required skills.

Surface modification of AZ61 Magnesium Alloy with Stelcar Alloy Powder Using Laser Cladding Technique

Objective: To examine the tribological and mechanical characteristics of the AZ61 alloy reinforced with Stelcar alloy powder by surface modification through laser cladding. Methods: Surface modification was done by using a laser cladding machine, where the input parameters including Scanning Speed (SS), Laser Power (LP) and Powder Feed Rate (PFR) were adjusted. Experimental design followed a L9 Taguchi approach, and optimization of input parameters for the surface modified AZ61 alloy reinforced with Stelcar alloy particles was achieved using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Output responses, namely wear volume and micro hardness were measured to assess the effectiveness of the optimization process. Findings: From the results obtained through the experiments, powder feed rate contributes to 82.81% of the variability in wear volume, whereas the laser power mostly impacts micro hardness; influencing it by 89.46% confirmed with ANOVA. In order to determine the optimal processing parameters among various objectives, this research applies the grey relational method. The results showed that the wear volume and micro hardness of the composite were significantly affected by the Stelcar reinforcement. Employing Grey relational analysis combined with several optimization objectives into a transparent method, resulting in a clad material with the lower wear volume and higher micro hardness. The optimized processing parameters predicted grey relational grades with an error rate of 1.39% and a significant contribution of 63.60% from laser power. This study confirmed that multi-objective optimization could enhance laser-cladded surface mechanical characteristics and laid out the theoretical foundation for this approach. Novelty: This study introduces an innovative approach to surface modification by employing the laser cladding technique to reinforce Stelcar alloy particles, thereby creating a dense coating on the substrate. Keywords: Laser Cladding, AZ61 magnesium alloy, Stelcar alloy, Coating, Optimization

Assessment of transparency indicators in space medicine.

Space medicine is a vital discipline with often time-intensive and costly projects and constrained opportunities for studying various elements such as space missions, astronauts, and simulated environments. Moreover, private interests gain increasing influence in this discipline. In scientific disciplines with these features, transparent and rigorous methods are essential. Here, we undertook an evaluation of transparency indicators in publications within the field of space medicine. A meta-epidemiological assessment of PubMed Central Open Access (PMC OA) eligible articles within the field of space medicine was performed for prevalence of code sharing, data sharing, pre-registration, conflicts of interest, and funding. Text mining was performed with the rtransparent text mining algorithms with manual validation of 200 random articles to obtain corrected estimates. Across 1215 included articles, 39 (3%) shared code, 258 (21%) shared data, 10 (1%) were registered, 110 (90%) contained a conflict-of-interest statement, and 1141 (93%) included a funding statement. After manual validation, the corrected estimates for code sharing, data sharing, and registration were 5%, 27%, and 1%, respectively. Data sharing was 32% when limited to original articles and highest in space/parabolic flights (46%). Overall, across space medicine we observed modest rates of data sharing, rare sharing of code and almost non-existent protocol registration. Enhancing transparency in space medicine research is imperative for safeguarding its scientific rigor and reproducibility.

A novel method for fully distributed sealed bid power trading in a network of islanded microgrids using consortium blockchains and a framework for its implementation

Microgrids help in the better utilization of distributed energy resources. However, due to the intermittent nature of such resources, the net energy availability within microgrids varies with time. This adversely affects the power balance within microgrids, especially if energy storage systems or grid support are unavailable. In such cases, the microgrids in a locality can form a network to trade power among themselves. The most transparent and fair method is power trading using a double auction with sealed bidding. A novel method for sealed bid power trading using consortium blockchains that is entirely decentralized is introduced, ensuring better operational and data security. Here, all bidding data are shared twice. During bidding time, bids are shared by participating microgrids using one-way encryption and are added to the blockchain by all participants. After the bid closure, the respective microgrids share the same data unencrypted. By encrypting and comparing the bid data with the encrypted data already added to the blockchains, other participants can verify whether the microgrids have kept their bid data unmodified post-bid-closure. If the data has been kept unmodified, all participants add the bid data as verified data to their blockchain. Successful bids are then identified using a smart contract, and power transfer is effected accordingly. All power and monetary transactions are recorded distributively in blockchains. A decentralised framework for the implementation of the method is also envisaged. Further, a novel approach is proposed for distributively authenticating the blocks shared by participating microgrids using public and shared keys. The method and the framework are then successfully tested for decentralization, transparency, resilience, public verifiability, and transaction enforcement using simulations in a benchmark test system for networked microgrids.

Reproduce, Replicate, Reevaluate. The Long but Safe Way to Extend Machine Learning Methods

Reproducibility is a desirable property of scientific research. On the one hand, it increases confidence in results. On the other hand, reproducible results can be extended on a solid basis. In rapidly developing fields such as machine learning, the latter is particularly important to ensure the reliability of research. In this paper, we present a systematic approach to reproducing (using the available implementation), replicating (using an alternative implementation) and reevaluating (using different datasets) state-of-the-art experiments. This approach enables the early detection and correction of deficiencies and thus the development of more robust and transparent machine learning methods. We detail the independent reproduction, replication, and reevaluation of the initially published experiments with a method that we want to extend. For each step, we identify issues and draw lessons learned. We further discuss solutions that have proven effective in overcoming the encountered problems. This work can serve as a guide for further reproducibility studies and generally improve reproducibility in machine learning.

PERBANDINGAN KOS PEMBELAJARAN DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR KAMPUS SERI ISKANDAR, UiTM PERAK

Excellent academic achievement is the target of student learning efforts at every level of study. Unfortunately, dealing with financial problems during the study session is often one of the causes of academic dropout among students nowadays. Aware of this, UiTM Perak in particular has offered zakat assistance as a financial solution to selected students to ease the financial burden through the establishment of the Zakat, Sedekah and Waqf Unit. However, the existing distribution method which is done based on the average cost of study for asnaf students, is relatively often somewhat misguided from the objective of fair aid distribution considering that the background of asnaf students is from various studies and bear different learning costs. Therefore, in order to succeed in an alternative method of fair distribution of zakat aid and achieve its goals, this study was conducted with the objective; identify the financial needs of UiTM Perak Branch students according to the department and semester of study, explain the differences in the cost of learning needs between faculties and further re-evaluate the more relevant zakat distribution method according to the current situation. This study was carried out quantitatively through the distribution of online questionnaires to the students of the Faculty of Architecture and Material Planning (FSPU), Faculty of Painting & Design (FSSR), Faculty of Accounting (FP), Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics (FSKM) ) and the Faculty of Applied Science (FSG). Findings show that the need for learning costs for FSSR students is greater than other faculties. The hope is that this finding will fuel academic excellence among asnaf students through a more transparent and effective method of distributing zakat aid.

Replicable Patent Indicators Using the Google Patents Public Datasets

AbstractRecognising the increasing accessibility and importance of patent data, the article underscores the need for standardised and transparent data analysis methods. We illustrate the construction and relevance of commonly used patent indicators derived from Google Patents Public Datasets. The indicators range from citation counts to more advanced metrics like patent text similarity. The BigQuery code is available in an open Kaggle notebook, explaining operational intricacies and potential data issues. By providing clear, adaptable queries and emphasising transparent methods, this article hopes to contribute to the standardisation and accessibility of patent analysis, offering a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike.

Non-reflective hard source method for multiple physically extended sources and scattering bodies

In this paper, we focus on methodologies to inject a noise source in a numerical model of noise propagation in confined domains. This is a problem of primary importance when dealing with propagation of fluid-dynamic induced noise in confined basins, like ships at sea or wind farms. We first assess the performance of the literature hard source (HS) and transparent source methods; successively, we propose a novel method named the non-reflective HS (NRHS) method. It takes advantage of the linearity of the equation governing the propagation of acoustic waves in fluids and is based on the decomposition of the total signal in the sum of direct and reflected signals. It presents the advantages of the hard source method removing the main drawback consisting of the well-known problem of spurious reflections. To check the reliability of the HS vs the NRHS, a non-dimensional parameter (the encumbrance) has been defined, which gives a measure of the extension of the generation domain with respect to the propagation domain in relation to the principal wavelength of the acoustic waves and the presence of reflecting surfaces. The method herein developed gives accurate results in the case of a single-point source, where the literature methods behave well; more importantly, the NRHS method maintains its own accuracy when a noise source needs to be represented by a large number of points in space, situations of very practical importance where the standard methods may exhibit inaccuracy. This is a point of importance since the use of large generation domains is in favor of the accuracy of the source characterization, which can exhibit a complex directivity. The new method has been tested in a number of archetypal situations characterized by the presence of a reflecting plane, a scattering body close to the source location, and two sources placed side by side. In all cases, the method has shown its own superiority with respect to the standard HS method, still preserving the flexibility and simplicity of the latter.

Low reliability when determining criterion a for posttraumatic stress disorder from self-report descriptions of traumatic events: The need for transparent methods.

Exposure to a traumatic event is a primary criterion (Criterion A) for meeting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Using self-report to establish diagnostic criteria in research has become more common, especially with internet-based research. However, some individuals may construe events as traumatic when they do not meet Criterion A. There has yet to be a test of interrater reliability (IRR) from self-report of traumatic events. Three graduate students in clinical psychology and three licensed psychologists rated Criterion A using the life events checklist (LEC), as well as the three modified LEC versions (specification of up to three index traumas; extension of part 2 of the LEC) aimed to increase IRR. One hundred participants completed each of the four versions of the LEC (N = 400). Bootstrapped permutation tests were used to estimate differences in IRR and to generate 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall, findings indicated fair-moderate IRR (Fleiss's kappa) κ = 0.428, 95% CI [0.379, 0.477]. The other versions of the LEC (including additional clarifying questions in part 2 of the LEC and/or opportunities to describe up to three traumas) did not meaningfully increase IRR. Findings indicate that relying on self-report from the LEC alone and/or single-rater assessment of open-text trauma descriptions is not recommended for determining whether a traumatic event meets Criterion A. We conclude that it is critical when collecting self-reported PTSD symptoms to provide a clear description of how Criterion A was assessed, initial agreement between raters, and how disagreements were resolved. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A sustainable trajectory for the 2030 Agenda: Targeting historical lock‐ins to accelerate progress on all SDGs

AbstractThe 2030 Agenda states that the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) make parts of an indivisible whole, and research on SDG implementation highlights how managing goal interactions—synergies and trade‐offs—is key for implementation to be successful. Here, we present an empirically based and transparent method for developing “consistent scenarios” that identifies which SDGs will be unattainable if historical patterns of interaction between SDGs are maintained. Using historical data on SDG indicators and correlation analysis together with cross‐impact balance analysis, we identify such scenarios for a set of high‐ to low‐income countries. Finding no consistent scenario where progress can be made on all 17 SDGs for any of the countries, our findings demonstrate the importance of policies that target interactions and resolve trade‐offs rather than individual goals to unlock a sustainable future trajectory. This reflects what was novel about the SDGs as a framework for global development; that the goals are indivisible and achieving them all require systemic changes that alter how social and economic processes interact with the environment.

Fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable cloth-based sweat sensors using polylactic acid (PLA) via stencil transparent film-printing

Cloth-based sensors are gaining attention for creating microfluidic wearable sensors for continuous monitoring of sweat biomarkers because of their flexibility, low cost, and natural hydrophilicity making them suitable for integration into everyday products. Here, we present a novel, low-cost and simple fabrication approach to create a cloth-based sensor ready for use as a sweat sensor while being environmentally friendly using biocompatible and biodegradable material, polylactic acid (PLA), and a stencil transparent film-printing method. The method provided high-resolution structures with narrowest hydrophilic channels and hydrophobic barriers measuring 1.90 ± 0.34 mm and 1.23 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. Various designs for detecting sweat biomarkers, including pH, lactate, and chloride, were generated by simply adjusting the stencil transparent film designs. For pH detection, a square-shaped cloth-based sensor was constructed and different natural indicators was used as biocompatible and non-toxic reagents to measure pH providing the detection in the pH range of 1–14. In lactate determination, an enzymatic assay with nanoceria as colorimetric probes was used in a spot format, offering a lactate detection range of 2.5–25 mM, effectively distinguishing between normal and abnormal muscle fatigue patients at a cut-off level of 12.5 mM sweat lactate. For chloride, a distance-based format was employed using the reverse Mohr titration assay, resulting in a detection range of 10–100 mM. Finally, the analysis of lactate and chloride in artificial sweat was successfully demonstrated yielding the recovery in the acceptable range demonstrating accurate measurements of the fabricated cloth-based sensors.

Introduction to dynamical mean-field theory of randomly connected neural networks with bidirectionally correlated couplings

Dynamical mean-field theory is a powerful physics tool used to analyze the typical behavior of neural networks, where neurons can be recurrently connected, or multiple layers of neurons can be stacked. However, it is not easy for beginners to access the essence of this tool and the underlying physics. Here, we give a pedagogical introduction of this method in a particular example of random neural networks, where neurons are randomly and fully connected by correlated synapses and therefore the network exhibits rich emergent collective dynamics. We also review related past and recent important works applying this tool. In addition, a physically transparent and alternative method, namely the dynamical cavity method, is also introduced to derive exactly the same results. The numerical implementation of solving the integro-differential mean-field equations is also detailed, with an illustration of exploring the fluctuation dissipation theorem.

Administrative Transparency and Its Role in Diagnosing the Defects of Administrative Organization among Secondary School Principals

Abstract The study aimed at identifying the degree to which school principals practice administrative transparency, identifying the defects of administrative organization, and the role of administrative transparency in diagnosing the defects of the administrative organization of managers, as well as identifying the correlation of administrative transparency according to gender and experience of secondary school principals in the districts of Tuz and Amerli. and the research community was identified from the directors and directors of secondary schools in the districts of Tuz and Amerli in Salah al-Din Governorate for the academic year (2019-2020), and the research sample was selected In a deliberate manner for secondary schools in the two two districts, the number of (52) principals and principal by a percentage (100%) represent (52) secondary schools for boys and girls. The researchers used the descriptive approach in the survey method in order to suit the nature of the problem.The most important conclusions were: 1-There are significant statistical differences between the measure of administrative transparency and organizational defects2-Thereis no significant correlation between the measure of administrative3-Thereis no significant correlation between the measure of administrative transparency and organizational defects for female managers 4-Most of the secondary school principals and principals in Tuz and Amerli districts enjoy a good degree of administrative transparency As for the recommendations, the most important of them were:1-The directors and directors involved in school administration development courses . 2-Development of means of communication between the administration and the educational staff on the one hand and the local community on the other hand . 3-Activating school committees and ensuring the participation of teachers in them and taking their decisions according to the specializations to reflect the transparency of the administrative work followed in the school . 4-Following the method of impartiality and transparency in dealing and avoiding double standards in dealing with school staff

A simple and transparent method for improving the energetics and thermodynamics of seawater approximations: Static energy asymptotics (SEA)

The static energy encodes all possible information about the thermodynamics and potential energy (and all related forces) of stratified geophysical fluids. In this paper, we develop a systematic methodology, called static energy asymptotics, that exploits this property for constructing energetically and thermodynamically consistent sound-proof approximations of the equations of motion. By approximating the static energy to various orders of accuracy, two main families of approximations are (re-)derived and discussed: the pseudo-incompressible (PI) approximation and the anelastic (AN) approximation. For all approximations, the background and available potential energies (in Lorenz sense) can be constructed to match their exact counterparts as closely as feasible and to be expressible in terms of the exact (as opposed to ad-hoc) thermodynamic potentials. For hydrostatic motions, the AN approximation (of which the Boussinesq approximation is a special case) has the same structure as that of legacy Seawater Boussinesq primitive equations. The energetics of such models could therefore be made transparently traceable to that of the full Navier–Stokes equations at little to no additional cost, thus allowing them to take full advantage of the Gibbs Sea Water (GSW) library developed as part of the new thermodynamic standard for seawater TEOS-10.

Critical appraisal of clinical practice guidelines

Ten questions to assess to what degree a clinical practice guideline is likely to be trustworthy: 1) Do the authors have conflicts of interests? 2) Is the clinical question relevant? 3) Have relevant stakeholders been involved? 4) Have methods for study selection been described? 5) Is there a link between evidence and recommendations (transparent methods)? 6) Has the certainty of evidence been assessed? 7) Have the methods for reaching recommendations been described? 8) Are the recommendations unambiguous? 9) Are the recommendations relevant in your situation? 10) Is there an implementation strategy?

Management of Pain in People Living With Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia: Highlights From a Rapid Umbrella Review.

Peripheral artery disease is a complex health condition. It is associated with atherosclerotic occlusive lesions in the arteries limiting normal blood flow, mostly involving the lower extremities, leading to chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Chronic unrelenting ischemic leg pain can be debilitating and distressing, contributing to poor health-related quality of life. Comprehensive management of pain associated with CLTI requires multimodal approaches that draw on a range of strategies and specialist treatments delivered by an interdisciplinary team across various health care settings. We recognized a significant gap in evidence-based strategies that are accessible, appropriate, acceptable, effective, and safe for the elderly with CLTI-associated pain. We therefore conducted an umbrella review or overview of multiple existing reviews that employ a rigorous and transparent method to comprehensively identify and synthesize relevant literature including systematic, scoping, and narrative reviews. The purpose of this umbrella review was to aggregate and compare various management options to inform best practices and quality indicators for the management of ischemic pain in older patients with peripheral artery disease.

KEY FACTORS FOR PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

The article examines the role of local governments in promoting entrepreneurship at the local level. An analysis of the situation in most local governments revealed that it is small private enterprises that provide them with significant revenues to the local budget, the share of which often exceeds revenues from state-owned enterprises and formerly privatized complexes. Among the problems that arise in the interaction of structural units of administrations with business entities are, first of all, the lack of a well-established dialogue, mutual understanding, which is caused by a lack of information, partly due to rapidly changing legislation, and the lack of institutionalized principles of this dialogue. Another problem is that entrepreneurs do not have permanent partners in administrations, people or departments to whom they can turn to on any issue at any time. Without this, it is out of the question to build trust in the administration on the part of entrepreneurs, to create an atmosphere of openness and clarity. The most important obstacles to the widespread introduction of the competitive public procurement mechanism are the untimely adoption of local budgets and the lack of civilized, transparent methods and rules for placing procurement. In addition, the development of competition through these procedures is significantly hampered by the strong and actively lobbied interests of not only certain agencies, but also individual officials, and sometimes by the merger of business entities with these agencies. This requires the creation of a system of control over the correctness of public procurement placement, as well as sanctions for violation of the principles and procedure of placement. In preparing for the future, it is necessary to respond to both traditional and new challenges associated with the war: destruction of infrastructure, reduced demand for goods and services, human resources problems, lack of working capital financing, and logistical problems.

OTDF platform: A new paradigm of homeownership for life with mobility and liquidity

The rise of digital nomadism and shifting societal patterns necessitate a re-examination of traditional housing ownership. This study introduces the OTDF Platform, a pioneering homeownership trading platform that views residences as a user-driven distributed system. It establishes a continuous process consisting of tokenization, digitalization, and fluidization of ownership, enabling the free trade and rapid circulation of ownership to dynamically respond to changes in user housing demands and economic status. In methodological development, the platform extensively integrates various technologies and algorithms, including blockchain and space planning, to create a nested functional relationship among parameters, including requirements and expenditures, residential space conditions, and ownership values, thereby elucidating a transparent ownership calculation method. The OTDF Platform demonstrates a comprehensive and adaptable ownership model, reinstating the value of housing as a home within its liquidity, offering innovative insights for addressing housing challenges in the post-digital era.

Improving reporting standards for phenotyping algorithm in biomedical research: 5 fundamental dimensions.

Phenotyping algorithms enable the interpretation of complex health data and definition of clinically relevant phenotypes; they have become crucial in biomedical research. However, the lack of standardization and transparency inhibits the cross-comparison of findings among different studies, limits large scale meta-analyses, confuses the research community, and prevents the reuse of algorithms, which results in duplication of efforts and the waste of valuable resources. Here, we propose five independent fundamental dimensions of phenotyping algorithms-complexity, performance, efficiency, implementability, and maintenance-through which researchers can describe, measure, and deploy any algorithms efficiently and effectively. These dimensions must be considered in the context of explicit use cases and transparent methods to ensure that they do not reflect unexpected biases or exacerbate inequities.